NOTHING WAS THE SAME: The Return of Derek Baldwin (2023-2027)

[Agent]

those names on the back of the Bulls jerseys

[The JZA]

Three guys scoring +20 points

[C-Dub]

old man Monroe balling

[chosenone58]

Demps too nasty for Baldwin's eyes, oof

Good win over the Cavs

Baldwin wasn't ready

Demps getting flashy

Proving his supposed to be there

those names on the back of the Bulls jerseys

I don't make the unis

Three guys scoring +20 points

Buckets buckets buckets

old man Monroe balling

Every once in a while, he gives us a little something

[chosenone58]

He sits in the back of a dark blue GMC Yukon watching the lights of the city he now calls home. Tony Solomon was once on the path to becoming one of the top centers in the NBA, before finding himself trying to prove that he was worthy of a roster spot. With the eighth pick of the 2017 NBA Draft, the Memphis Grizzlies selected Solomon from the University of Maryland. He had a fantastic rookie season where he averaged 18 points and eight rebounds per game and was named Rookie of the Year. Teamed up with France’s Stephen Cisse, Solomon was well on his way to becoming the face of the Grizzlies’ franchise. At the end of his second season, he signed a three year contract for over $40M.

During his fourth season in Memphis, Solomon began suffering from nagging hip injuries forcing him to miss a good chunk of time due to the Grizzlies trying to rest him. He averaged 14 points and seven rebounds over 50 games. Those were the lowest production totals that the big man had ever posted as a professional. Memphis staggered into the playoffs, coming in as an eighth seed and were swept by the Los Angeles Lakers.

He spent the entire summer resting and getting treatment. He didn’t want to undergo surgery if he didn’t have to. He started his fifth year on a high note, coming out against Chicago in the season opener and scoring 28 points and grabbing eleven rebounds in the victory. He was named player of the week in November and in December. Then his troubles started again. He was out for almost two weeks in January and again right before and right after the All-Star break. When it looked as if the Grizzlies were going to miss the playoffs in 2022, and did not offer him a contract extension, he opted to have the surgery.

“I knew they were going to wait until the last minute to decide if they were going to extend a contract or not.”

He says he knew the opportunity was less than likely as the Grizzlies had begun “tanking” in order to improve their chances at the number one pick in the upcoming draft. Rumors were swirling that they had their sights set on Australian center Artie Stokes. “I talked with my parents and my agent and told them if I hadn’t gotten an offer before the deadline, then I was going to have the surgery in March.”

There was no offer. He understood that it was just business. But now it was time for the 6’10” center to bet on himself. Knowing the recovery period was going to take the better part of a year, Solomon decided to focus on other things.

“I looked into some investments. Things that could help my money grow should this be the end of the road for me. I got in touch with Kevin Plank at Under Armour. I just wanted to put my feelers out in case I had to relocate back to Baltimore for good.”

Once Solomon had been cleared to play in November, he waited and waited but hadn’t heard anything. He was offered a two-year contract to play with the Jiangsu Dragons in the Chinese Basketball Association. If the team name sounds familiar, it’s because you’ve probably heard it before. Quite a few NBA players have found themselves playing for the Dragons at one time or another. Greg Oden, MarShon Brooks, Chris Andersen and Toney Douglas, to name a few. Solomon was another to join the ranks.

He averaged 25.5 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game over those two years before returning to the States with the hopes of being signed to an NBA roster. He had several tryouts, but teams appeared to still be wary of the injury. He considered going back to China again, but decided against it after his grandfather had taken ill.

Then in December, his phone rang. It was his agent, Mario King, calling to inform him that Brooklyn was looking for a center for that season. Greg Monroe was expected to be out for the next two months and they had rough stretch of games ahead. A player with his particular skill set would be appreciated.

He averaged 6.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game for Brooklyn coming off the bench, with the hopes of getting an offer in the off-season.

“It was like another audition for me. You can’t take anything for granted.”

Brooklyn liked what they saw and Solomon got signed to a two year deal with the Nets in the summer. People are seeing the city of Brooklyn as sort of a rest haven for players. Now Solomon finds himself playing alongside one of the NBA’s greatest players, Derek Baldwin, and being coached by Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant as he contends for a championship.

“It has definitely been a roller coaster ride since I entered the NBA. But everything that I’ve been through has led me to where I am right now. I’m blessed to be in this moment.”

[C-Dub]

everyone loves a comeback story

[Chillcavern]

interesting story for Tony Solomon, glad to see he's getting another shot with you guys!

[chosenone58]

everyone loves a comeback story

You know I'm a fan

interesting story for Tony Solomon, glad to see he's getting another shot with you guys!

He was actually one of the computer generated players from NBA 2K14. Dude was just chillin in free agency, so I was like "why not?"

[chosenone58]

[chosenone58]